Books are food for my soul! Pull up a beach chair and stick your toes in the sand as the Jersey surf rolls in and out, now open your book and let your imagination take you away.

Monday, October 6, 2014

The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart by Jessica Ashley Dafoe (Author Guest Post / Book Review / Contest Giveaway)

In association with Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours, Jersey Girl Book Reviews is pleased to host the virtual book tour event for The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart by Author Jessica Ashley Dafoe!






Author Guest Post

The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart‘s All Star Cast 


While writing The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart and sharing the fact that I was making headway on my novel with eager friends and acquaintances, I had at least a few inquiries about a certain burning question; that question being “Who would you include in the all-star cast if your work was in fact made into a movie?” It’s an extremely fun activity to sit down and actually match my own characters that I have conjured up with the perfect stars and starlets to play them up on the silver screen. It’s taken a few attempts at getting it just right, but here it is, the all-star cast for the movie version of Jessica Ashley Dafoe’s novel The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart.

In the role of Ms. Portia Delaney, herself, I would indeed cast the beautiful and bubbly yet by-times quirky and idiosyncratic yet always endearing, Zooey Deschanel.



In the role of Nina, I would cast the always charming and lovely Isla Fisher. She is just enough of a free spirit to bring the spontaneous best friend of Portia to life.



As the Parisian heartthrob Guillaume, I would most certainly cast handsome and talented Jayson Woolley. A friend of mine and most certainly sweet to the core, no one could represent Guillaume better. He may have to work on that French accent, however.



In the role of the spoiled, entitled and overly obnoxious Angelica I would have to cast Mena Suvari. This is not because I believe she, herself, embodies any of these qualities, but simply because I believe she is a terrific actress who could morph into this type of character with ease and rock the role.



As the initially wayward and misunderstood Charlie, I would without a doubt cast the extraordinary and lovely Natasha Lyonne. She has just enough of an edge and a smattering of sweetness to produce the best possible Charlie on screen.



As Minnie, the work obsessed curly-haired initial roommate of Portia I would have to select Ginnifer Goodwin. She plays serious well but can quickly transition into cute and kind-hearted girl-next-door, just as Minnie happily does.



As the evil and vindictive fashionista Liv, I would have to select the dramatic and oh-so-glamorous Rosario Dawson. She is feisty, sassy and sexual and could easily portray a heartless femme fatale who keeps a kind-hearted gentleman wrapped tightly around her finger.



As Victoria Lewis, the force to be reckoned with and head honcho at Crave Magazine, I would cast stunning Sharon Stone. She has the strut, the fierceness, maturity and vulnerability to do this multi-faceted character justice.



As the rugged and mysterious Randall, I would cast unconventionally sexy and debonair Ron Livingston.



As Penelope, the secretive, leggy, red-head beauty, I would without a doubt cast seductive and talented Emma Stone.



As Tricia, the professional and always prim and proper office assistant who has the perfect backhanded comment ready at all times, I must go with Canada’s sweetheart, Rachel McAdams.



As Michele Gagnon, unkempt and scruffy Parisian fashion icon extraordinaire, no one else but the artistic, brooding and dashing talent of Johnny Depp will do.



 As Josee Parent, Parisian fashion editor at La Vie Magazine, who better to choose than the stunning and statuesque Vanessa Paradis?



Finally, as dirty Darryl, my one and only choice can be Seth Rogan. I wrote this character with a visual in mind of him right from the get-go. He’d be perfect. There can be no other.



And that, my friends, rounds out the perfect star-studded cast for my novel The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart. Stay tuned for release dates. I can dream, can’t I?




About The Author



Jessica Ashley Dafoe resides in Toronto where she is an educator by day and a literary enthusiast and writer by night. She attained her BA in English Literature at The University of Ottawa and her B Ed at Brock and Queen’s University.

When Jessica does not have her nose in a book or is not scribbling out her ideas for her newest tantalizing tales, she's most likely keeping busy trying out various exciting activities and delicious cuisine that the great city of Toronto has to offer or planning her next getaway to her immediate destination of choice. The travelling bug bites her often.

A romantic comedy addict to the core, she enjoys all things silly, frivolous and emotionally endearing which is the reason she writes stories that encompass all of these qualities.


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Book Review



The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart by Jessica Ashley Dafoe
Publisher: Friesen Press
Publication Date: July 24, 2014
Format: Hardcover / Paperback - 296 Pages
              Kindle - 758 KB
              Nook - 817 KB
ISBN: 978-1460246009
ASIN: B00MH8VDOA
BNID: 2940150645943
Genre: Chick Lit / Contemporary Romance / Romantic Comedy / Women's Fiction


BUY THE BOOK: The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart


Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by Chick Lit Plus Blog Tours.


Book Description:

Successful, lucky in love, taking the world by storm?.....not quite. Portia Delaney is down on her luck, disgruntled in a dead end, mind- numbing career with little prospects and is not even close to finding a stimulating romance to take her mind off her lack-luster situation. Her defeatist attitude and unmistakable idiosyncrasies don’t help much either.

But with rock bottom comes a choice, lie down and enjoy the cold and barren ground beneath, or climb that ladder of success to the top. Portia finally sets out to do just that. With a fantastic group of friends and a bit of fateful circumstance on her side, she begins her trek up and out of the despair filled trenches. But Portia soon finds out that with success, often comes hardships and unwelcome competition.


Book Excerpt:



The venue is sparkling with what appears to be waterfalls of white twinkle lights, cascading from all sides. As I peer up through the triangular shaped glass roof, dusk is setting in and the faint appearance of stars in the sky are peeking through to become the natural back drop of this fateful event. Suddenly Michele Gagnon catches my eye. He is no longer the scruffy character I met yesterday; he has traded in his t-shirt and ripped jeans for a three piece suit with coat tails and a top hat to suit. My matching 18th century inspired ensemble and his choice of wear settles my nerves because it is clear that this night is truly meant to be. We are a dynamic duo, prepared to take on the cat walk. 

Gagnon takes notice of me and swiftly walks towards me, his arms outstretched as he approaches. “Portia! You are perfection; a true complement to my collection and the season.” He wraps me in his affectionate embrace and I can’t help wanting to pat myself on the back for taking the time to learn about his new line. “Come, come. I will show you around the location and then we will begin to make the most magnificent show. You will be my behind-the-scenes-star.” 

We amble through the venue where I see all the stark white seats set in stringent rows, so orderly and perfect awaiting Paris’ who’s who of fashion. My stomach does a little flip and I take a deep breath to inhale the calmness of the space at this moment. We continue through to the backstage area and I am completely taken aback by the scene. “Calmness” is definitely not the word to describe it. Models are scurrying all over the place, half dressed with rollers in their hair. Hair and makeup stylists are applying powder and hairspray with such thoroughness that there is a cloud caused by the mixture of beautifying products hovering over the whole area.

At this moment I see only female models and begin to wonder at what point I will be able to see Guillaume. 

I am quickly thrust out of this train of thought as Michele takes my hand and rushes me into a curtained off area, just next to the runway. An overwhelming sensation at what I behold consumes me. Before me stands what I would equate to be on par with the holy grail of a runway stylist’s career. Three full walls of the most lavish jewelry are glimmering and shimmering like the stars above. Diamonds, emeralds and pearls as far as the eye can see; gold, brushed silver, rose gold, and every type of additional gem stone one could possibly fathom embedded in the necklaces, bracelets and rings from which I will be selecting. This is a dream; I’m living a truly magnificent dream. I casually turn to Michele and say “It will do. I can work with this.”



My Book Review:

In her debut novel, The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart, author Jessica Ashley Dafoe weaves an entertaining tale that follows Portia Delaney as she embarks on a journey of self-discovery.

Set in Toronto, NYC, and enchanting Paris, the home of haute couture and the romantic City of Light, and told in the first person narrative, Portia draws the reader into her life filled with a lack luster career and romantic trials and tribulations. Surrounded by a great bunch of friends, Portia decides to embark on a journey to change her life for the better. Her journey turns into an adventure that has a wonderful mixture of humor, drama, life lessons, and romance that easily keeps the reader thoroughly entertained.

The Tantalizing Tale of a Bitter Sweetheart is an enjoyable story that features a quirky cast of characters; witty dialogue and lively interactions; a richly detailed setting that easily transports the reader into the heart of the action; and a realistic storyline about one woman's struggle to discover herself, and obtain happiness and success in her life.


RATING: 4 STARS 
                                     




Book Trailer





Contest Giveaway


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Virtual Book Tour



Tour Schedule:

September 29 – Novel Escapes – Interview
September 30 – A Blue Million Books – Guest Post & Excerpt
October 1 – Authors and Readers Book Corner – Excerpt
October 2 – Ski-Wee’s Book Corner – Excerpt 
October 3 – Chick Lit Club Connect – Guest Post
October 6- Jersey Girl Book Reviews – Review, Guest Post & Excerpt
October 7 – Dishwater Dreams – Guest Post & Excerpt
October 8 – Every Free Chance Book Reviews – Excerpt 
October 10 – Book Suburbia – Excerpt
October 14 – Chick Lit Plus – Review
October 15 – Booknosh – Guest Post & Excerpt 
October 21 – Samantha March – Q&A & Excerpt 
October 23 – Fiction Dream s- Review & Q&A
October 24 – Two Children and a Migraine – Review & Guest Post
October 27 – Mrs. Mommy Booknerd’s Book Reviews – Guest Post & Excerpt




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